Security breaches and hacking

In a move demonstrating the seriousness with which the US treats hackers, the US Divisional Court has upheld the District Judge and the Secretary of State’s decision to use powers, under the Extradition Act 2003, to extradite a British man to the US to face computer hacking charges.

In 2001 – 2002, Gary McKinnon, acting from his own computer in London, is said to have gained unauthorised access to around 100 computers belonging to, and used by, the US Government.

Apparently, Mr McKinnon deleted data and copied some files onto his own computers, including some operating systems files containing account names and encrypted passwords. The cost of repair to the US computers was over $700,000. It has been reported that Mr McKinnon will appeal the decision.